Upcoming Events

Lessons Learned from the 2008 UCLA Incident

February 25, 2013 2:00PM to 3:00PM

Presenter

Neal Langerman, Ph.D., Advanced Chemical Safety

Location

Building 362

Type

Meeting

Series

Lessons learned from a fatal laboratory accident at UCLA in 2008 and other incidents will be the topic of a presentation by Neal Langerman of Advanced Chemical Safety Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. in the Building 362 Auditorium. All employees whose schedules permit are encouraged to attend.

In that incident, UCLA research assistant Sheri Sangji was working on an organic chemistry experiment involving a chemical that ignites on contact with air. A flash fire set her clothing ablaze and caused second- and third-degree burns over 43 percent of her body. She died in a hospital burn unit 18 days later. Langerman will discuss the management, cultural, behavioral and legal causes that led to this and other serious accidents, and how to establish an environment that promotes safety.